STEM Education

Science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) are essential to PNNL's success. We depend on STEM expertise in our staff today – and tomorrow in our future workforce. To help ensure PNNL, the Department of Energy and the entire nation have skilled and diverse STEM-educated workers, PNNL is working to advance STEM education and the public's access to it.

PNNL's leadership and efforts to advance STEM education are guided by four overarching principles:

Inform STEM educational programs that provide the knowledge and context needed for real-world scientific work by sharing our expertise as a national scientific research institution.

Promote STEM literacy for all – not just for every student, but also for families, teachers and communities – so Americans can make informed decisions about important issues that are affected by science and technology.

Ensure students from diverse backgrounds – all races, genders, economic situations, etc. – have access to quality STEM education from a very early age.

Make STEM education more equitable by providing all students the ability to engage in it, despite obstacles such as lack of transportation or funds that often block diverse student involvement.